Purpose
A major problem facing public high schools is the large number of teachers who drop out of the profession during their first five years of teaching. In Oregon this attrition was 37 percent, according to a 2008 report by the Chalkboard Project. To encourage more teachers to stay in the profession and improve their skills, the Miller Foundation is offering up to 50 awards a year to provide public high school teachers with opportunities for growth and development, with the goal of strengthening their commitment to, interest in, and effectiveness in a long-term classroom teaching career. The ultimate goal is helping teachers pursue activities that will stimulate and nurture student achievement. The awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending upon the nature of the individual projects.
Eligibility
Any public high school principal in Oregon may nominate a teacher who has less than five years in the profession and who develops a promising plan of activities designed to benefit the teacher’s performance and professional satisfaction. Among possible projects are:
- Focused coursework the teacher believes would be personally valuable
- A specific mentoring relationship with an unusually capable and experienced teacher
- Planned attendance at conferences or institutes that feature topics that would be helpful to the teacher
- Working for National Board Certification
- Developing and organizing a local support group for newer teachers
- Designing a personal plan to study student learning differences, diversity of effective teaching methods, or essential subject matter
This list is meant to be illustrative only. It is expected that teachers will be creative in their planning and design a program that fits their individual circumstances.
Nominating Process
If a school chooses to participate, the principal will notify the Miller Foundation by Friday, December 18, 2009. The principal, using selection methods deemed most suitable, will nominate a teacher who has suggested an effective plan of activities and who would especially benefit from this experience. Then the principal and nominated teacher will each submit a letter to the Foundation. The principal’s letter (not more than two pages) will address who the candidate is and why this teacher is being nominated. The teacher’s letter (not more than three pages) will describe the learning experience she or he wants to pursue and why, along with a proposed budget. The principal’s letter will also state that the school is willing to receive grant funds and oversee their appropriate expenditure without any overhead charges or administrative fees. The proposed projects may take place in the spring, summer, or fall of 2010. The deadline for these letters is January 31, 2010.
Selection Process
The Foundation will appoint a Selection Committee, composed of an experienced public high school teacher, a public high school principal, and a college or university educator. This panel will review the submissions and recommend to the Foundation up to 50 awardees whom the committee believes best fit the purposes of the program. In making the selections, the selection committee will take into consideration the following:
- the feasibility of the proposed project being carried out as described
- the likelihood that the project will contribute to the teaching effectiveness of the candidate
- the likelihood that the project will encourage the candidates to remain in a teaching career
- the reasonableness of the dollar cost to complete the proposed project
If the selection committee believes there should be an adjustment to a proposed project budget, they may make such changes within the limitations of the program’s guidelines.
The Miller Foundation will not participate in the selection of individual teachers, but it will formally approve the selection committee’s recommendations and send an award letter to each successful candidate and his or her principal. Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified at this time. It is expected that these notifications will occur in April 2010.
Grant Process
A formal grant agreement for each award will be signed by the appropriate official in each school or school district, agreeing that the grant funds will be used as described in the project budget. The teacher awardees will sign a letter indicating they agree to (1) carry out the project as described in their proposals and (2) submit a final report to the Foundation on their experiences. Upon receipt of these agreements, the Foundation will send award checks to the schools or school districts (depending upon the preference and policies of the district) of the award recipients.
Reporting Process
Within three months after his or her project is completed, a teacher and the recipient school’s principal will report on the use of the funds and the benefits gained from the supported activities. The Foundation may also conduct follow-up inquiries regarding the effectiveness of the program.
Inquiries and submission of applications should be directed to:
James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
520 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 520
Portland, Oregon 97204
Additional information about the Miller Foundation can be found at www.millerfound.org or by calling 503.546.3191
Deadlines
December 18, 2009 – Principals notify Foundation that they will participate in the program
Notification deadline has been extended to January 19, 2010!
click here to go to the nomination form
January 31, 2010 – Submission of letters from principals and teachers
TEACHERS: click here to download the teacher application form
PRINCIPALS: click here to download the nomination letter form